Kano, northwestern Nigeria—forty days since the unjust killings of 16 hunters traveling back home for the Sallah festivity in the Oroimi community of the Esan North-East Local Government area of Edo State, families of the victims of Kano State held a forty-day prayer and protest to demand justice.
The bereaved families, from Kibiya, Rano, and Bunkure local government areas, gathered in large numbers at the Kibiya LGA secretariat, where they conducted a Qur’anic recitation to seek Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased while calling for justice.
However, in tears, Malam Bala Dutse, whose son Amadu was among the victims, cautioned the government against abandoning the case, alleging that there are attempts to sweep the matter under the rug.
According to Bala, “When our children were unjustly killed, many Nigerians called for justice, and thankfully, the government responded swiftly by announcing some arrests were made while the suspects were transferred to Abuja, where they will be tried to face the wrath of the law before an honorable court, but to this time, we are yet to receive credible information regarding the case.
As a father who depends on Amadu, my life is broken, and my life has never been the same since his death.
At least the government should speak to us about the situation and the process of compensating us. Bala demand.
Like Malam Bala, Hauwa’u Isa, a wife to the late Isa, cried for support to cater for her children’s school fees and general upkeep.
Hauwa’u, a mother of three, decried her situation, claiming that life is almost unbearable for her, as the only justice for her late husband would at least alleviate her suffering, despite nothing in this world healing the wound of losing a responsible husband.
In Hauwa’u’s words, “We count on the government to act on their word. They promise to compensate us and ensure justice for our brave husband.
I was there when the Kano State governor accompanied his counterpart, the Edo State governor, to our community on a condolence visit.
I still hold their word with due respect and am optimistic about what they promise. I hope it will not be a political statement as usual.”
Authority Response
Responding to the newsmen at the secretariat, the Kibiya Local Government vice chairman, Hon. Nasiru Adam Abdulaziz, disclosed that “ Indeed, our people are hurt and have been living with grief and sorrow since the senseless killing of sixteen innocent hunters of our dear state occurred in the month of March at the Oromi community in Edo State.
But what we have seen today has reminded us to stand on our responsibility as a government closer to the people, of which we were voted on such a mandate.
Thank God, Gov Abba Kabir Yusuf, have make commitment which he even set up a committee chaired by the deputy governor, Comr Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
We believe they are doing what is best for our people.
However, I assure the victims’ families of our commitment to justice and welfare; therefore, I will call on the federal government, the Kano State government, and the Edo State government to kindly act on their word of commitment during and after the incidents.
The victims’ families need justice and compensation so they can cope with the immeasurable loss they have suffered.
This is forty days, as the protesters mentioned and displayed in their tags, and we trust the government can do everything to ensure this family smiles for justice and the promise of compensation.
Although we have read online that the police have arrested some of the perpetrators and they have been moved to Abuja, it’s commendable as we await the public trial and execution so it can be detrimental to others”. He added
